Raids in North Richmond

November 14, 2008 3:38:58 PM PST

Law enforcement officials conducted raids this morning near unincorporated North Richmond, but a Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office spokesman said he couldn't confirm whether they were connected to arrests of alleged "Deep C" gang members Thursday in several Bay Area counties.

Sheriff's office spokesman Jimmy Lee said today's raids started around 5 a.m., and he believed authorities were continuing to look for evidence and going through homes at about 9 a.m.

On Thursday morning, more than 200 local and federal law enforcement officers served 40 search warrants and 43 arrest warrants in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and Sacramento counties. They arrested 18 alleged gang members and seized eight firearms. Agents also seized large quantities of cocaine and marijuana with a total street value of about $100,000 and more than $17,000 in cash.